FlyECO will deliver transformative technologies to support Integrated Power and Propulsion Systems (IPPS) that contributes to zero-emission and sustainable growth of aviation and has the potential to enable aviation climate neutrality by 2050. The utilization of hydrogen as sole energy source offers the opportunity to eliminate aviation CO2 emissions entirely. Furthermore, a reduction in NOx emissions of at least 50% is enabled by ingesting steam produced by a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) into the hydrogen-fuelled gas turbine (GT). FlyECO will develop a simulation and evaluation framework in which the optimal architecture definition of the IPPS, the key enabling integration technologies and necessary controls concepts can be explored, investigated closely and advanced towards TRL3 through Proof-of-Concept (PoC) demonstrators. A Commuter/Regional aircraft application was chosen as a use case to develop the propulsion system with more than one megawatt power. In particular, the energy management and distribution strategies will be developed for both quasi-steady-state and transient operation. In addition, PoC for the IPPS and the reduction in NOx emissions will be provided via two demonstrators: (1) a sub-structured test-rig emulating the cycle-integrated hybrid electric propulsion system and (2) a high-pressure combustor with steam ingestion.
TPG role
The FlyECO proposal contributes to the goals of the UNIGE institution and the TPG research group due to the exploitation of the available know-how and the possible extension to the aircraft applications of this innovative technology. UNIGE will be contributing to FlyECO with different component models for the hybrid system simulations. In case necessary, UNIGE is able to provide simulations with the TRANSEO tool: a modular software for the off-design, transient and dynamic analyses on GT-based systems. UNIGE will be the WP2 leader and moreover have a contribution of minor degree in all other WPs with a focus on the general requirements and system design, control system and dissemination.